The Global Supply Chain Forum, to be convened by UNCTAD and hosted by the Government of Barbados in its capital Bridgetown from 21 to 24 May 2024, will focus on the policy actions required to better prepare countries, especially developing economies, to cope with future shocks to global trade.

Supply chains drive trade and the world economy: for example, international shipping connects countries and ports, carrying over 80% of global trade volumes.

In recent years, global supply chains have been disrupted by crises such as climate change, as shown by the drought affecting the Panama Canal, geopolitical tensions as in the Red Sea and the Black Sea, and energy shortages, as well as the COVID19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions increase the prices of goods, experience has shown.

Government officials, business leaders and experts at the forum will examine issues such as digitalization, food security, transport costs, climate change, developing countries’ financing needs and how to better manage the energy transition in international transport.